The Rustavi Choir

Georgia

Male Choir

Founded in 1968 by the singer and folklorist Anzor Erkomaishvili, the Rustavi Choir is a men’s choir whose mission is to promote and spread the richness of Georgian heritage beyond their national borders. The polyphonic singing practiced in Georgia, often not written, is distinguished by a very particular vocal technique and the use of scales not standard Western music. Varied and often very sophisticated, this cultural treasure must be preserved, enlivened and transmitted – something that the choir strives to do.

In 2001 the choir was awarded the UNESCO Pasha Prize in recognition and encouragement of its work in the conservation and dissemination of the traditional repertoire of Georgian polyphonic singing.